三种典型赤潮藻产生与消耗二甲基硫化物的速率估算

采用抑制剂加入法估算了中肋骨条藻、棕囊藻和东海原甲藻在不同生长期内二甲基硫化物的产生与消耗速率.结果表明:颗粒态二甲基巯基丙酸(DMSPp)和颗粒态二甲亚砜(DMSOp)在3种藻类的不同生长期内均为净消耗,溶解态二甲基巯基丙酸(DMSPd)和溶解态二甲亚砜(DMSOd)的含量受藻类产生与细菌病毒消耗控制,在藻类不同生长期内存在不同的产生与消耗速率,而二甲基硫(DMS)在3种藻不同生长期内均为净产生.同一种藻在不同生长期内以及不同藻在相同生长期内二甲基硫化物的产生与消耗速率均存在较大差异,表明藻类的生理状态和种间差异均对二甲基硫化物的产生与消耗速率产生影响.     

大亚湾大鹏澳水域春季浮游植物优势种的演替

根据2002年4月28日～5月27日大亚湾大鹏澳内每日采样的现场连续观测资料,使用主分量分析方法和多元回归方法,分析浮游植物优势种类之间的关系及影响其生长与演替的主要理化因子,建立春季浮游植物优势种类的演替模型。模型表明,中肋骨条藻和柔弱菱形藻之间为竞争关系;与浮游植物(以硅藻为主)生长密切相关的理化因子为温度(T)、溶解氧饱和度(DOsat)、铵氮(NH4-N)、亚硝酸氮(NO2-N)、磷酸盐(PO4-P)、硅酸盐(SiO3-Si)。影响中肋骨条藻的理化因子还有盐度(S)和氮磷比值(NO3／PO4)。并根据优势种类发生演替期间的环境变化(降雨),分析了浮游植物优势种由中肋骨条藻演替为柔弱菱形藻的过程。     

Growth and Major Nutrient Concentrations in Brassica campestris Supplied with Different NH4^＋/NO3 Ratios

In the present study, we investigated whether growth and main nutrient ion concentrations of cabbage （Brassica campestris L.） could be increased when plants were subjected to different NH4^＋/NO3- ratios. Cabbage seedlings were grown in a greenhouse in nutrient solutions with five NH4^＋/NO3- ratios （1：0; 0.75：0.25; 0.5：0.5; 0.25：0.75; and 0：1）. The results showed that cabbage growth was reduced by 87% when the proportion of NH4^＋-N in the nutrient solution was more than 75% compared with a ratio NH4^＋/NO3- of 0.5：0.5 35 d after transplanting, suggesting a possible toxicity due to the accumulation of a large amount of free ammonia in the leaves. When the NH4＋/NO3- ratio was 0.5：0.5, fresh seedling weight, root length, and H2PO4- （P）, K^＋, Ca^2＋, and Mg^2＋ concentrations were all higher than those in plants grown under other NH4^＋/NO3- ratios. The nitrate concentration in the leaves was the lowest in plants grown at 0.5： 0.5 NH4^＋/NO3-. The present results indicate that an appropriate NH4^＋/NO3- ratio improves the absorption of other nutrients and maintains a suitable proportion of N assimilation and storage that should benefit plant growth and the quality of cabbage as a vegetable.     

莴笋对不同形态氮素的反应

探讨了不同形态氮素对莴笋生长发育的影响及其营养特性。结果表明,莴笋幼苗根系对NH4^+ -N的亲和力稍大于NO3^- -N的亲和力;分别供给NO3^- -N+NO3^- -N及NH4^+ -N,莴笋的生物学产量和吸N量均依次递减（分别为100：56.9：12.4,100：48.9：8.6）,因此在水培条件下,NO3^- -N是最适合莴笋生长发育的氮源,NH4^+ -N与NO3^- -N各占50％时对莴笋的生长发育已有一定的抑制作用,仅以NH4^+ -N作氮源则莴笋很难生长;NH4^+ -N与NO3^- -N各占50％时,莴笋倾向于吸收较多的NH4^+ -N,而且在培养不同阶段NH4^+/NO3^-吸收比例均大于1,莴笋表现出喜铵性,但NH4^+ -N并非莴笋很适合的氮源;营养液中NO3^- -N不足,主要影响莴笋茎叶的生长,而NH4^+ -N所占比例达50％时,莴笋根系生长受到抑制,且有明显的受害症状;以NO3^- -N作氮源预培养两周,以含微量NO3^- -N的自来水为水源,再单独以NH4^+ -N为氮源,对莴笋生长有极大的促进作用,同时还大幅度降低了体内硝酸盐的含量。尿素作氮源莴笋未出现受害症状,但莴笋的生长发育状况明显劣于其它氮源。     

长江口邻近海域营养盐分布特征及其控制过程的初步研究

利用1997年秋季和1998年春季对长江口邻近海域两个航次的调查结果,对该海域营养盐分布、结构特征以及其主要控制过程进行了探讨．结果表明,该海域的营养盐分布及结构具有明显的季节变化,秋季海水中NO3--N、SiO3^2-．SiSiO3^2-,Si及PO4^3--P,DOP、PP均高于春季,平均含量分别为4．97、11．6、0．44、0．26、0．82μmol·L-1,而春季则是NO2--N、NH4+-N、DON、PN含量高,平均含量分别为0．70、2．26、9．88、7．88μmol·L-·PP(54％)和PO4^3--P(51％)分别为秋季和春季磷的主要形态,两个季节氮结构基本一致,均以DON和PN为主．除春季PO4^3--P外,营养盐受长江冲淡水等陆源输入的影响而呈现近岸含量较高,溶解无机氮秋季以NO3^- -N为主而春季则以NH4^+-N为主,秋季PO4^3- -P同时来源于长江冲淡水和台湾暖流．而春季则主要来源于台湾暖流．显示出春季台湾暖流对调查海区的影响程度大于秋季．     

三峡库区村镇水源中典型水华藻种PAC混凝去除效果比较研究

选取三峡库区村镇水源水中5种典型水华藻种(小球藻、衣藻、小环藻、针杆藻和光甲藻)为材料。比较研究了不同剂量的聚合氯化铝(PAC)对于这些藻种细胞(叶绿素a和浊度)的去除效果,以及混凝沉淀后絮体结构、形态的差异,以筛选典型水华藻种混凝去除的适宜PAC投加量。结果显示:(1)实验所选藻种形态差异明显,针杆藻呈长线形结构,小环藻呈短圆柱形结构,小球藻、衣藻和光甲藻呈球形或椭圆形,光甲藻和针杆藻细胞相对最大。(2)光甲藻和针杆藻PAC混凝去除效果最好,小球藻和衣藻次之,小环藻相对不易取得良好的混凝去除效果;PAC混凝去除效果与藻类形态特征有关。(3)针杆藻和光甲藻容易形成大而密实的絮体,小球藻和衣藻形成的絮体相对较小,小环藻絮体形成能力最弱。(4)光甲藻和针杆藻适宜的PAC投加量范围为15～80 mg/L,小球藻为15～50 mg/L,衣藻为15～65 mg/L,小环藻为50～80 mg/L;在适宜的PAC投加范围内,各试验藻液叶绿素a和浊度的去除率分别达到81%～97%和76%～97%。研究表明,PAC混凝沉淀法可用于去除三峡库区村镇水源水中5种典型水华藻种,但各藻种的适宜投加量存在差异,适量PAC均可使各藻液中的叶绿素a和浊度有效降低。     

短期内^15N标记的铵盐和硝酸盐在青藏高原高寒草甸中的运移规律

运用^15N稳定性同位素示踪技术,对高寒草甸植物和土壤微生物固持沉降氮的能力及沉降氮在小嵩草（Kobresia pygaea)草甸中的运移规律进行了研究。施肥2周后,NO3^-－^15N和NH4^ －^15N的总恢复率分别为73．5％和78％。无论是NO3^-－^15N,还是NH4^ －^15N植物所固持的^15N总是比土壤有机质或者是土壤微生物固持的多。4周后,70．6％的NO3^-－^15N和57．4％的NH4^ －^15N被固持在土壤和植物中。其中,土壤微生物所固持。在施肥6周和8周后,NO3^-－^15N的总恢复率分别为58．4％和67％,而NH4^ －^15N的总恢复率分别为43．1％和49％。植物和土壤微生物所固持的NO3^-－^15N比NH4^ －^15N多。在整个实验期间,植物固持的NO3^-N较多,而且比土壤微生物固持了较多^15N。由于无机氮的含量一直很低,无机氮库所固持的^15N一般不超过1％。上述结果意味着短期内植物在高寒草甸中对沉降氮的去向起着决定作用。     

丹江口水库浮游植物时空动态及影响因素

2007年7月至2008年6月对丹江口水库浮游植物进行了为期一年的调查和分析,共采集到浮游植物8门、60属、110种及变种.种类组成以绿藻门、硅藻门和蓝藻门为主,其中绿藻门占优势,共计46种(42％),其次为硅藻35种(32％).藻类年平均密度为4.17×106 celVL,最高密度为6.10×107 cell/L,最低密度为5.16×103 cell/L.各季节浮游植物优势种差异显著,春季为一种颤藻(Oscillatoria sp.)和尖针杆藻(Synedra acus),夏秋两季为啮蚀隐藻(Cryptomonas erosa),冬季转为倪氏拟多甲藻(Peridiniopsis niei).空间分布上,丹江、汉江库区以及取水口3个区域浮游植物优势种为尖针杆藻,五青入库区则以倪氏拟多甲藻占优势.磷浓度是驱动丹江口水库藻类密度的主要影响因子.根据建库几十年来的对丹江口水库较为全面的4次调查资料,分析了丹江口水库的浮游植物群落演替及变化趋势.自1958年以来,50年间,整个水库浮游植物密度增加了16倍,水库富营养化程度有增加的趋势.种类组成由适应河流的固着型硅藻,经过硅藻-绿藻-蓝藻型逐渐发展为硅藻-甲藻-隐藻-蓝藻型.     

淡水鱼池土腥异味物质含量与浮游藻类和放线菌生物量的关系

通过顶空固相微萃取-气质联用色谱测定北京市精养鱼池中两种主要土腥异味物质(土臭味素和二甲基异莰醇)含量,同时测定鱼池中浮游藻类和放线菌生物量,研究了土腥异味物质含量与浮游藻类和放线菌生物量之间的关系。结果表明,试验鱼池中土腥异味物质以土臭味素为主,土臭味素在精养鱼池中普遍存在,含量为1.22～35.58ng·L-1,二甲基异莰醇在部分鱼池中被检出,含量1.39～6.00ng·L-1。精养鱼池中共检出浮游藻类6门22属,生物量17.33～178.34mg·L-1,以硅藻和裸藻为主。放线菌共测到4个属,其中链霉菌Streptomyces sp.是主要种类,放线菌总生物量0～76×104ind.L-1。鱼池中浮游藻类总生物量与土臭味素含量正相关。浮游藻类中的颗粒直链藻Melosira granulata和条纹小环藻Cyclotella striata可能是北京地区夏秋季节淡水精养鱼池中能够产生土臭味素的主要藻类,裸藻和其他鞭毛藻类对池中异味化合物的产生可能作用较小。     

秦岭火地塘森林生态系统不同层次的水质效应

根据降水与森林生态系统相互作用的空间顺序,分别对火地塘林区火地沟流域大气降水、林内雨、枯透水、支沟溪流水和流域出口径流水质进行了比较分析和变化机理分析。结果表明：森林生态系统不同层次均有使微酸性降水pH值升高的作用,但以林冠层和森林土壤的作用最大,升幅分别为0．58和0．61;森林生态系统对NO3^-、NH4^＋、K、PO4^3均有净化作用,净化NO3^-的关键阶段为沟道径流阶段,净化NH4^＋、K、PO4^3的主要方式则为土壤吸附;森林生态系统各层次均增加Ca含量,除土壤外,也增加Mg,但Ca主要来源于土壤和岩石,Mg主要来源于岩石;降水中的Cd、Pb、Mn、Zn经过森林生态系统不同层次的阻减,含量分别降低了0．721μg·L^-1、6．528μg·L^-1、0．0128mg·L^-1和1．4674mg·L^-1,其中以林冠层的阻减作用最大,阻减效果分别为83％、76．7％、54％和99％。总体上,林冠层是净化水质的关键层次,其次为森林土壤。     

Resolving the complex relationship between harmful algal blooms and environmental factors in the coastal waters adjacent to the Changjiang River estuary

The sea area adjacent to the Changjiang River estuary is the most notable region for harmful algal blooms (HABs¹) in China as both diatom and dinoflagellate blooms have been recorded in this region. Affected by the Changjiang diluted water (CDW²) and currents from the open ocean (i.e., Taiwan warm current, TWC³), the environmental conditions in the coastal waters adjacent to the Changjiang River estuary are quite complex. To obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms of HABs in this region, analyses based on field investigation data collected by the National Basic Research Priority Program (CEOHAB I⁴) were performed using principle component analysis (PCA⁵), multiple regression analysis (MRA⁶) and path analysis (PA⁷). The results suggested that phosphate and silicate are the major factors that directly affect the diatom bloom, while dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN⁸), temperature and turbidity are the factors that influence the dinoflagellate bloom. CDW and the TWC have different roles in affecting the two types of algal blooms. CDW, which has a high concentration of nitrate and silicate, is essential for the diatom bloom, while the intrusion of the TWC (mainly Kuroshio subsurface water that is rich in phosphate at the bottom) is critical for the maintenance of the dinoflagellate bloom. The results of this study offer a better understanding of the mechanisms of HABs in the East China Sea.     

Variations in food intake of Pecten maximus (L.) from the Bay of Brest (France): influence of environmental factors and phytoplankton species composition

Previous studies carried out in the bay of Brest on daily shell growth of Pecten maximus have demonstrated that temperature is a major control on daily shell growth in contrast to food supply. However, repeated events of slow growth have been observed during diatom and dinoflagellate blooms. The aim of this study was to determine how fluctuations in environmental parameters influence P. maximus food intake and daily shell growth rate. In 1995, P. maximus food intake and growth were highest when Cerataulina pelagica (diatom) blooms occurred and lowest during Gymnodinium cf. nagasakiense (dinoflagellate) blooms. During blooms of other diatom species, P. maximus food intake and growth were high when the algal concentration did not exceed a critical threshold, dependent upon the dominant species and sedimentation rate of diatoms. These results demonstrate that the morphological and physiological features of phytoplankton bloom species strongly affect benthic microphytophagy, a component of benthic-pelagic coupling.     

Bacterial community structure associated with a dimethylsulfoniopropionate-producing North Atlantic algal bloom

The bacteria associated with oceanic algal blooms are acknowledged to play important roles in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling, yet little information is available on their identities or phylogenetic affiliations. Three culture-independent methods were used to characterize bacteria from a dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP)-producing algal bloom in the North Atlantic. Group-specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotides, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) clone libraries, and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis all indicated that the marine Roseobacter lineage was numerically important in the heterotrophic bacterial community, averaging >20% of the 16S rDNA sampled. Two other groups of heterotrophic bacteria, the SAR86 and SAR11 clades, were also shown by the three 16S rRNA-based methods to be abundant in the bloom community. In surface waters, the Roseobacter, SAR86, and SAR11 lineages together accounted for over 50% of the bacterial rDNA and showed little spatial variability in abundance despite variations in the dominant algal species. Depth profiles indicated that Roseobacter phylotype abundance decreased with depth and was positively correlated with chlorophyll a, DMSP, and total organic sulfur (dimethyl sulfide plus DMSP plus dimethyl sulfoxide) concentrations. Based on these data and previous physiological studies of cultured Roseobacter strains, we hypothesize that this lineage plays a role in cycling organic sulfur compounds produced within the bloom. Three other abundant bacterial phylotypes (representing a cyanobacterium and two members of the alpha Proteobacteria) were primarily associated with chlorophyll-rich surface waters of the bloom (0 to 50 m), while two others (representing Cytophagales and delta Proteobacteria) were primarily found in deeper waters (200 to 500 m).     

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate turnover is linked to the composition and dynamics of the bacterioplankton assemblage during a microcosm phytoplankton bloom

Processing of the phytoplankton-derived organic sulfur compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) by bacteria was studied in seawater microcosms in the coastal Gulf of Mexico (Alabama). Modest phytoplankton blooms (peak chlorophyll a [Chl a] concentrations of approximately 2.5 microg liter(-1)) were induced in nutrient-enriched microcosms, while phytoplankton biomass remained low in unamended controls (Chl a concentrations of approximately 0.34 microg liter(-1)). Particulate DMSP concentrations reached 96 nM in the enriched microcosms but remained approximately 14 nM in the controls. Bacterial biomass production increased in parallel with the increase in particulate DMSP, and nutrient limitation bioassays in the initial water showed that enrichment with DMSP or glucose caused a similar stimulation of bacterial growth. Concomitantly, increased bacterial consumption rate constants of dissolved DMSP (up to 20 day(-1)) and dimethylsulfide (DMS) (up to 6.5 day(-1)) were observed. Nevertheless, higher DMSP S assimilation efficiencies and higher contribution of DMSP to bacterial S demand were found in the controls compared to the enriched microcosms. This indicated that marine bacterioplankton may rely more on DMSP as a source of S under oligotrophic conditions than under the senescence phase of phytoplankton blooms. Phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial assemblages in all microcosms showed that the DMSP-rich algal bloom favored the occurrence of various Roseobacter members, flavobacteria (Bacteroidetes phylum), and oligotrophic marine Gammaproteobacteria. Our observations suggest that the composition of the bacterial assemblage and the relative contribution of DMSP to the overall dissolved organic sulfur/organic matter pool control how efficiently bacteria assimilate DMSP S and thereby potentially divert it from DMS production.     

Bacterial Community Structure Associated with a Dimethylsulfoniopropionate-Producing North Atlantic Algal Bloom

The bacteria associated with oceanic algal blooms are acknowledged to play important roles in carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycling, yet little information is available on their identities or phylogenetic affiliations. Three culture-independent methods were used to characterize bacteria from a dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP)-producing algal bloom in the North Atlantic. Group-specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotides, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) clone libraries, and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis all indicated that the marine Roseobacter lineage was numerically important in the heterotrophic bacterial community, averaging >20% of the 16S rDNA sampled. Two other groups of heterotrophic bacteria, the SAR86 and SAR11 clades, were also shown by the three 16S rRNA-based methods to be abundant in the bloom community. In surface waters, the Roseobacter, SAR86, and SAR11 lineages together accounted for over 50% of the bacterial rDNA and showed little spatial variability in abundance despite variations in the dominant algal species. Depth profiles indicated that Roseobacter phylotype abundance decreased with depth and was positively correlated with chlorophyll a, DMSP, and total organic sulfur (dimethyl sulfide plus DMSP plus dimethyl sulfoxide) concentrations. Based on these data and previous physiological studies of cultured Roseobacter strains, we hypothesize that this lineage plays a role in cycling organic sulfur compounds produced within the bloom. Three other abundant bacterial phylotypes (representing a cyanobacterium and two members of the α Proteobacteria) were primarily associated with chlorophyll-rich surface waters of the bloom (0 to 50 m), while two others (representing Cytophagales and δ Proteobacteria) were primarily found in deeper waters (200 to 500 m).     

An unusual bloom of the dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea off the central Oregon, USA, coast in autumn 2009

An algal bloom caused by the dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea was observed in October–November 2009 along the central Oregon coast (44.6°N), off Newport, Oregon, U.S.A. In this paper, the conditions are described which led to the development and demise of this bloom. The bloom was observed for 1 month from 5-October until 4-November with the peak of abundance on 19-October (347,615 cells L⁻¹). The A. sanguinea bloom followed September blooms of the diatoms Pseudo-nitzschia spp, Chaetoceros debilis, and the dinoflagellate Prorocentrum gracile. The bloom occurred when nitrate and silicate concentrations were <2 μM and <8 μM, respectively, and when the water column was stratified. This A. sanguinea dinoflagellate bloom event was closely related to the anomalous upwelling conditions in 2009: upwelling ceased early, at the end of August, whereas a normal upwelling continues into early October. This relaxation extended to near the end of September as a prolonged downwelling event, but then active upwelling reappeared in October and November. The explanation for the occurrence of the A. sanguinea bloom in October may be related to a combination of a prior diatom bloom, a stratified water column with low nutrient concentration in September, and an active upwelling event in October. As for the ultimate source of the cells, the hypothesis is that the seed stock for the A sanguinea bloom off Oregon was southward transport of cells from the Washington coast where a massive bloom of A. sanguinea was first observed in September 2009.     

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate Turnover Is Linked to the Composition and Dynamics of the Bacterioplankton Assemblage during a Microcosm Phytoplankton Bloom

Processing of the phytoplankton-derived organic sulfur compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) by bacteria was studied in seawater microcosms in the coastal Gulf of Mexico (Alabama). Modest phytoplankton blooms (peak chlorophyll a [Chl a] concentrations of ~2.5 μg liter⁻¹) were induced in nutrient-enriched microcosms, while phytoplankton biomass remained low in unamended controls (Chl a concentrations of ~0.34 μg liter⁻¹). Particulate DMSP concentrations reached 96 nM in the enriched microcosms but remained approximately 14 nM in the controls. Bacterial biomass production increased in parallel with the increase in particulate DMSP, and nutrient limitation bioassays in the initial water showed that enrichment with DMSP or glucose caused a similar stimulation of bacterial growth. Concomitantly, increased bacterial consumption rate constants of dissolved DMSP (up to 20 day⁻¹) and dimethylsulfide (DMS) (up to 6.5 day⁻¹) were observed. Nevertheless, higher DMSP S assimilation efficiencies and higher contribution of DMSP to bacterial S demand were found in the controls compared to the enriched microcosms. This indicated that marine bacterioplankton may rely more on DMSP as a source of S under oligotrophic conditions than under the senescence phase of phytoplankton blooms. Phylogenetic analysis of the bacterial assemblages in all microcosms showed that the DMSP-rich algal bloom favored the occurrence of various Roseobacter members, flavobacteria (Bacteroidetes phylum), and oligotrophic marine Gammaproteobacteria. Our observations suggest that the composition of the bacterial assemblage and the relative contribution of DMSP to the overall dissolved organic sulfur/organic matter pool control how efficiently bacteria assimilate DMSP S and thereby potentially divert it from DMS production.     

DIMETHYLSULFONIOPROPIONATE CLEAVAGE BY MARINE PHYTOPLANKTON IN RESPONSE TO MECHANICAL,CHEMICAL, OR DARK STRESS1

Several bloom‐forming marine algae produce concentrated intracellular dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) and display high DMSP cleavage activity in vitro and during lysis after grazing or viral attack. Here we show evidence for cleavage of DMSP in response to environmental cues among different strains of the haptophyte Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) Hay et Mohler and the dinoflagellate Alexandrium spp. (Halim). Sparging or shaking live cells of either taxon increased dimethyl sulfide (DMS), especially in dinoflagellates, known to be very sensitive to shear stresses. Additions of polyamines, known triggers of exocytosis in some protists, also stimulated DMSP cleavage in a dose‐responsive manner. We observed DMS production by some algae after shifts in light regime. When most exponential‐phase E. huxleyi were transferred to continuous darkness, cells decreased in volume and DMSP content within 24 h; DMSP content per unit cell volume remained relatively steady. DMS accumulated as long as cells remained in the dark, but on returning to a light:dark cycle DMS accumulation ceased within 24 h. However, E. huxleyi strain CCMP 373, containing highly active in vitro DMSP lyase, produced only transient accumulations of DMS in the dark. This was apparently due to production and concomitant oxidation or uptake of DMS, because cells of this strain rapidly removed DMS added to cultures. Three strains of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium tamarense containing high in vitro DMSP lyase activity showed no DMS production in the dark, and all appeared to remove additions of DMS. Alexandrium tamarense strain CCMP 1771 also removed dimethyl disulfide, an inhibitor of bacterial DMS consumption. These data suggest that physical or chemical cues can trigger algal DMSP cleavage, but DMS production may be masked by subsequent oxidation and/or uptake.     

High CO2 and silicate limitation synergistically increase the toxicity of Pseudo-nitzschia fraudulenta

Anthropogenic CO(2) is progressively acidifying the ocean, but the responses of harmful algal bloom species that produce toxins that can bioaccumulate remain virtually unknown. The neurotoxin domoic acid is produced by the globally-distributed diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia. This toxin is responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning, which can result in illness or death in humans and regularly causes mass mortalities of marine mammals and birds. Domoic acid production by Pseudo-nitzschia cells is known to be regulated by nutrient availability, but potential interactions with increasing seawater CO(2) concentrations are poorly understood. Here we present experiments measuring domoic acid production by acclimatized cultures of Pseudo-nitzschia fraudulenta that demonstrate a strong synergism between projected future CO(2) levels (765 ppm) and silicate-limited growth, which greatly increases cellular toxicity relative to growth under modern atmospheric (360 ppm) or pre-industrial (200 ppm) CO(2) conditions. Cellular Si:C ratios decrease with increasing CO(2), in a trend opposite to that seen for domoic acid production. The coastal California upwelling system where this species was isolated currently exhibits rapidly increasing levels of anthropogenic acidification, as well as widespread episodic silicate limitation of diatom growth. Our results suggest that the current ecosystem and human health impacts of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia blooms could be greatly exacerbated by future ocean acidification and 'carbon fertilization' of the coastal ocean.     

Comparing diatom and Alexandrium catenella/tamarense blooms in Thau lagoon: Importance of dissolved organic nitrogen in seasonally N-limited systems

Diatom blooms in Thau lagoon are always related to rain events leading to inputs of inorganic nutrients such as phosphate, ammonium and nitrate through the watershed with time lags of about 1 week. In contrast, blooms of Alexandrium catenella/tamarense can occur following periods of 3 weeks without precipitation and no significant input of conventional nutrients such as nitrate and phosphate. Field results also indicate a significant drop (from 22–25 to 15–16 μM over 3 days) in dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) at the bloom peak, as well as a significant inverse relationship between A. catenella/tamarense cell density and DON concentrations that is not apparent for diatom blooms. Such dinoflagellate blooms are also associated with elevated (6–9 μM) ammonium concentrations, a curious feature also observed by other investigators, possibly the results of ammonium excretion by this organism during urea or other organic nitrogen assimilation.The potential use of DON by this organism represents short cuts in the nitrogen cycle between plants and nutrients and requires a new model for phytoplankton growth that is different from the classical diatom bloom model. In contrast to such diatom blooms that are due to conventional (nitrate, phosphate) nutrient pulses, Alexandrium catenella/tamarense blooms on the monthly time scale are due to organic nutrient enrichment, a feature that allows net growth rates of about 1.3 d⁻¹, a value higher than that generally attributed to such organisms.